The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People's Defense Forces UPDF), General Yoweri Museveni, has re-assured the nation that there will never be any elections' violence in Uganda and warned that whoever will try to bring chaos will do so on his/her own risk.
The President was today presiding over the 30th anniversary celebrations (Tarehe Sita) to mark the founding of the Uganda People's Defense Forces at Soroti Sports grounds.
The colorful ceremony which took place at Soroti Sports Grounds in Soroti Municipality was characterized by a march past by officers and men of the UPDF including the civilian communities. The celebrations were also attended by visiting military delegations from Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, the South Sudan People's Army (SPLA), Kenya and Djibouti.
The celebrations run under the theme "Enhancing Peace, Security and Stability for Sustained National and Regional Development."
President Museveni, who congratulated the people of Uganda upon the Tarehe Sita celebrations and for attaining the prevailing peace after many years of turmoil, assured Ugandans that the peace enjoyed in the country is irreversible and no one can disturb that peace.
He commended the good work of the Arrow Boys and other Militia Groups in Teso and Lango Sub-Regions for helping the Army to rout Kony terrorists from their areas.
"I salute the Arrow Boys and other militia groups that helped the UPDF. Since we were fighting the terrorists who were fighting civilians, it was good to have a force that was maintaining peace in the villages while the Army pursued LRA", he said.
Commenting on 30th anniversary of Tarehe Sita celebrations, The President said that it was not the 1st phase of the struggle but the 2nd. He explained that the 1st phase was the resistance against the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin between1971 to 1979. He added that after the fall of Amin, many political issues had not been resolved. He said the progressive forces then launched the second phase that brought the peace now prevailing in the country, including taming the Karimojong warriors who used to torment their neighbors by rustling their cattle. He assured the people of Teso Sub-Region that the restocking exercise wiil be operationalised since the guns used for raiding their cattle have been removed from the Karimojong rustlers.
"In fact, we tried to restock cattle in Teso and other districts neighbouring Karamoja but they (cattle) were raided. So the only solution was to remove the guns from the Karimojong which the Army has successfully done", he affirmed.
The President added that the Government of Uganda now needs to work with the Government of Kenya to remove guns from the Kenyan Pokot. He noted that there is peace in the whole country the only problem being indiscipline among the political class who tell lies. He, therefore, warned that the government is now going to insist on discipline.
The President pointed out that some countries, such as Tanzania, have had peace for a long time because they deal with the issue of discipline.
"The time of indiscipline is over. Those who are encouraging that should take note because we have sacrificed for the last 45 years. NRM now has the capacity to deal and impose discipline among the political class", he stressed.
He praised the Army for being patriotic citing the works of the forces during the Army Week like treating wananchi in Teso Sub-Region free of charge. "You must get people who love their country. Our Army is a patriotic army and that is what makes the difference between the Army medical doctors and the civilian ones. They are patriotic; they don't steal drugs and I will allow Army doctors to stay here for some more days", he told the excited gathering.
President Museveni also congratulated the people of Southern Sudan upon attaining autonomy through the referendum that was conducted in that country to secede from Northern part.
"I congratulate our brothers and sisters from Southern Sudan upon their victory. The problems of Southern Sudan were part of our problems. The black people there wanted their freedom. The world never understood that situation. I am now glad that the problem has come to an end", he said.
The Minister of State for Defense, General JeJe Odong, was happy to note that Tarehe Sita celebrations were held when security in the country was at its best.
State Minister for Refugees and Disaster Preparedness, Mr. Musa Ecweru, thanked the government for choosing Teso to host this year's Tarehe Sita celebrations adding that the people of the region will remember NRM for rescuing them from Kony banditry and also for disarming the Karimojong cattle rustlers.
The Chief of the Defense Forces, General Aronda Nyakairima, described Tarehe Sita celebrations as historic and memorable because that was the day history was changed in Uganda.
During the celebrations, over 620 persons received awards of medals in different categories of Kagera, Nalubale, Damu and Luwero Triangle, in recognition of their contribution to the liberation struggle of the country.
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